Runs at a premium as Ports batters are shut down

STOCKTON - Shaeffer Hall filled in nicely as an emergency starter, but the Stockton Ports couldn't get him any runs.

Mark Godi

STOCKTON - Shaeffer Hall filled in nicely as an emergency starter, but the Stockton Ports couldn't get him any runs.

The Stockton Ports had planned on throwing Michael Ynoa, but Ynoa pitched Sunday in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Hall started in his place and got a no-decision in a 1-0 loss to the High Desert Mavericks in front of a crowd of 2,041 at Stockton Ballpark.

Hall went a season-best seven innings and didn't allow a run on three hits. The left-hander struck out five batters and walked just one.

"As far as numbers and how I felt, it was probably my best outing of the year," Hall said. "It was much needed because I don't feel like I have been pitching as good as I'm capable of."

The performance came after a season-best outing from Josh Bowman and a California League Pitcher of the Week nod for starter Raul Alcantara last week. Alcantara was honored after going 1-0 in two starts with a 0.69 ERA and 16 strikeouts.

On Monday, Ryan Dull relieved Hall in the eighth and the Mavericks won on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. After a single by Nate Melendres and a double by Kevin Rivers, Pat Kivlehan flied to right fielder Dusty Robinson. Robinson's throw home was off and catcher Bruce Maxwell never had a chance to make a tag.

Meanwhile, the Ports had five hits and never got a runner past second base. Myrio Richard led the team by going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.

The three-game series ended with the Ports just missing a chance to face local product Trevor Miller. The right-handed pitcher from Bret Harte won a state championship as a sophomore at Delta College in 2011.

The Mariners drafted Miller in the 40th round that year and he was called up to High Desert at the end of last season. He started this year with High Desert and was 4-7 with a 4.82 ERA before being moved up Thursday to Double-A Jackson (Tenn).

"I had all kinds of plans with family and friends coming back," Miller said via phone Monday. "But at the same time, it's great to be moving up."